Indian shooting has long been a reservoir of talent, producing champions with nerves of steel and remarkable precision. Saurabh Chaudhary, making a comeback and Suruchi Singh, now starting are taking it ahead
It has brought the country global recognition, standing ovations, and historic victories. Yet, like all elite sport, it also holds stories of heartbreak, detours, and quiet resilience. In the high-stakes world of 10m Air Pistol shooting, two names Saurabh Chaudhary and Suruchi Singh reflect these parallel journeys of past promise and emerging potential.
Saurabh Chaudhary: The Rise, the Setback, and the Return
Saurabh Chaudhary’s journey is already a storied one. From the rural heartland of Uttar Pradesh, his early entry into shooting was marked by humble beginnings, relentless discipline, and raw talent. By 16, he had taken the global stage by storm gold at the 2018 Asian Games, Youth Olympic gold, and a collection of ISSF World Cup titles and junior world records followed, painting the picture of India’s next Olympic great.
His poise under pressure became legendary, with final-round performances that belied his age. Naturally, all eyes turned to him ahead of the Tokyo Olympics 2020. He topped the qualification rounds in the 10m Air Pistol with clinical precision, setting the stage for what many believed would be India’s moment of glory.
But in sport, moments can slip. In the final, Saurabh faltered, finishing seventh. The disappointment deepened in the mixed team event, where despite being one of the country’s top medal hopes, he bowed out early. The heartbreak was compounded by a loss of form in the years that followed and perhaps more tellingly, by his omission from the Paris 2024 Olympics squad.
Meanwhile, the spotlight moved on. Manu Bhaker’s double-medal haul at the Paris Games became the defining narrative, while Saurabh’s story seemed to stall. In India, medals define legacy; Olympians without them are often too quickly forgotten.
Yet, true champions don’t disappear they regroup. Saurabh’s recent return to form is proof of that. At the ISSF World Cup in Buenos Aires, he clinched an individual bronze and followed it up with mixed team medals bronze in Buenos Aires and gold in Lima, partnering with a name that’s quickly gaining ground: Suruchi Singh.
Suruchi Singh: The Steady Rise of a Silent Contender
Suruchi Singh’s trajectory hasn’t been flashy but it has been steadfast. Hailing from Jhajjar, Haryana, her entry into shooting mirrored the grassroots story familiar to many Indian athletes: modest beginnings, minimal facilities, and maximum effort. What set Suruchi apart early on was her quiet consistency. Through the national circuit, she built a resume of reliable performances, slowly but surely climbing the ranks.
Her breakout came at the ISSF World Cup in Buenos Aires, where she seized gold in the individual 10m Air Pistol event. That win wasn’t just a personal triumph; it was her formal introduction to the international circuit. Suruchi then backed it up with medals in Lima and Munich, continuing her momentum and proving that Buenos Aires was no fluke.
What stood out in Munich was her composure. Under pressure, with expectations rising, Suruchi delivered with the calm of a seasoned pro signalling a maturity well beyond her years. Though still early in her career, these performances hint at the potential of a future star. The question isn’t whether she can win it’s whether she can keep doing it when it counts most.
Olympic comparisons may be premature, but they’re inevitable. Suruchi’s early run mirrors Saurabh’s golden start. The parallels are hard to ignore. But the path to the Olympics is long, and the Asian Games 2026 may serve as her first real litmus test, should she make the squad.
Parallel Paths, Shared Purpose
Together, Saurabh Chaudhary and Suruchi Singh represent the dual nature of elite sport redemption and rise, reflection and resurgence. Saurabh’s career is a reminder that greatness isn’t always linear. His return, after years of uncertainty, is a testament to quiet resilience. Suruchi’s rise, on the other hand, signals the start of a new chapter in Indian shooting, one still full of promise, hunger, and unfolding potential.
Their recent success in mixed team events feels symbolic to athletes at different stages of their journey, but both with unfinished business. Whether Saurabh can reclaim the heights he once scaled or Suruchi can carry her form to Olympic glory remains to be seen. But in their stories lie important truths: talent must be nurtured, failures must be withstood, and glory written or unwritten is always within reach.
